(Brasilia/ New York, 6 March 2013): UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos today concluded her visit to Brazil and highlighted the country’s significant contribution to global humanitarian efforts. “Brazil’s commitment to international humanitarian efforts has increased steadily over the past few years, and we saw their highest financial contribution so far in 2012: over $50 million. More than half of that went to relief efforts in Somalia,” said Ms. Amos.

Brazil has also given more than US$21 million to disaster response and preparedness in Haiti since the devastating earthquake in 2010. As the biggest donor from the region, it has given $106 million in financial support in recent years, including over $2.6 million to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

During her two-day visit, the Humanitarian Chief met high-level Government officials including the Minister of External Relations, Antonio Patriota, the Minister of Health,
Alexandre Padilha, the Minister of Defence, Celso Amorim, the Minister of National Integration, Fernando Bezerra, and the Vice-Minister of the Home Office of the Presidency of the Republic, Beto Vasconcelos, to discuss ways to strengthen humanitarian partnership and improve the region’s disaster management system.

Ms. Amos also led the Global Humanitarian Action in 2013 event at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations. The event aimed to strengthen regional support for the 2013 global humanitarian appeal. “We hope that donors continue to give generously to people facing crises in countries including Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and the Philippines,” said Ms. Amos. “We need US$10.4 billion to help more than 57 million people in 24 of the world’s most pressing crises to cope with emergencies this year.”